Gantry Housing Scan Window Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in X-ray CT apparatuses is to increase the inner diameter of the gantry bore to accommodate larger patients while minimizing the risk of the gantry housing coming into contact with rotating elements due to deformation, and preventing liquid penetration through the gap between the gantry cover and the scan window.
Innovation Solution
A gantry housing design with a scan window that includes X-ray transparent window members, supported by first and second elastic members and reinforcing portions on the cover surfaces, which reduce deformation and prevent liquid penetration by maintaining a consistent distance from the rotating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the inner diameter of the bore is increased to accommodate larger patients, then the work area around the patient is widened, but the distance between the gantry housing and rotating elements is decreased, increasing the risk of contact due to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a main body and a cover that can be separately removed. The cover includes a receiving portion that separately accommodates the elastic member, allowing the elastic member to be compressed independently without affecting the main housing structure. This segmentation enables the housing to maintain its shape while allowing controlled compression of the elastic member to prevent liquid penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary between the scan window and the housing. It is compressed by external forces to fill gaps and prevent liquid penetration, while the receiving portion mediates this compression to prevent direct transmission of deformation forces to the main housing structure, thus preventing contact with rotating elements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an elastic member is used to fill the gap between the cover and scan window to prevent liquid penetration, then liquid penetration is prevented, but the elastic member is compressed by external forces, reducing its thickness and causing the scan window to come closer to rotating elements
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a main body and a cover that can be separately removed. The cover includes a receiving portion that separately accommodates the elastic member, allowing the elastic member to be compressed independently without affecting the main housing structure. This segmentation enables the housing to maintain its shape while allowing controlled compression of the elastic member to prevent liquid penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving portion is designed beforehand to accommodate the elastic member in a compressed state. This pre-designed space acts as a cushion that absorbs the compression forces from external loads, preventing the scan window from being pushed too close to the rotating elements while still maintaining liquid tightness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the elastic member is compressed to prevent liquid penetration, then the gap is filled, but the thickness of the elastic member is reduced, directly causing the scan window to come closer to rotating elements
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a main body and a cover that can be separately removed. The cover includes a receiving portion that separately accommodates the elastic member, allowing the elastic member to be compressed independently without affecting the main housing structure. This segmentation enables the housing to maintain its shape while allowing controlled compression of the elastic member to prevent liquid penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving portion acts as an intermediary structure that absorbs the compression of the elastic member. It provides a dedicated space for the elastic member to be compressed, preventing the compression forces from being transmitted to the scan window and rotating elements, thus maintaining safe distances even when the elastic member thickness is reduced.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively reduces the risk of liquid penetration and deformation, ensuring the gantry housing maintains a safe distance from rotating elements, even under external forces, thereby enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a commonly known scan window comprises an elastic member tightly attached to a wall surface of the cover. Since the elastic member is capable of filling the gap between the cover of the bore and the scan window, liquid penetration to the inside of the gantry can be prevented.
Implementation Method 2
The gantry incorporates therein an X-ray tube so that X-rays are detected while rotating the X-ray tube, and an image of a patient can be reconstructed based on data of the detected X-rays.
Implementation Method 3
The scan window is constructed to be removably fitted in a cover of the gantry... with a scan window formed of an X-ray transparent material in order that X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube can pass through the interior wall of the gantry
Data Source
AI summary
A gantry housing 20 comprises a front cover 30, a main cover 40, a rear cover 50, and a scan window 60. The scan window 60 has a PolyCarbonate (PC) sheet 61, and elastic members 62 and 63. The front cover 30 has a receiving portion 32 in which the elastic member 62 is disposed, and a reinforcing portion 33 for reducing deformation of the PC sheet 61; the rear cover 50 has a receiving portion 52 in which the elastic member 63 is disposed, and a reinforcing portion 53 for reducing deformation of the PC sheet 61.